Interpretive Summary: The common name for Pityopsis ruthii is small ruth’s goldaster. It is an endangered species with a habitat limited to a small region of Tennessee, specifically in Polk County. DNA markers represent an excellent method in which to characterize genetic variability within populations of P. ruthii. In this paper a type of DNA markers called SSRs (Simple Sequenced Repeats) were developed for P. ruthii and were characterized to determine their level of usefulness to detect genetic variability in this endangered species. This is in part determined by the number of loci detected per DNA marker. It appears from this initial research that this set of SSR markers is sufficient to start population diversity studies of P. ruthii.

Technical Abstract:
Premise of the study: Microsatellite loci were developed for the endangered species Pityopsis ruthii and will permit genetic and conservation studies of the species.
Methods and Results:A microsatellite enriched library was used to develop 12 polymorphic microsatellite loci for P. ruthii. The loci amplified perfect and imperfect repeats with 3-7 alleles per locus. Observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.05 to 0.80 and expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.23 to 0.75.
Conclusions: These microsatellite loci provide a sufficient set of markers for further investigation of population genetics of P. ruthii.